Practice News

Dr. Kristyn Darmafall and Dr. Megan Crosmer will join practice as the only female, board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons in the community.

DAVENPORT, IOWA (August 15th, 2019) – For years, Orthopaedic Specialists, located at 3385 Dexter Court in Davenport, Iowa, has served as the area’s innovator for orthopaedic surgery. As the only Quad-Cities Area center comprised entirely of fellowship-trained orthopaedic professionals, Orthopaedic Specialists was the first to bring outpatient joint replacement and outpatient spine surgery to the area.

This fall, the center will prove itself as an innovator yet again by adding two board-certified and fellowship-trained female orthopaedic surgeons to its team – Dr. Kristyn Darmafall and Dr. Megan Crosmer.

Dr. Darmafall, who most recently served as an assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at Ohio State University, is fellowship trained in sports medicine. She completed her fellowship at the University of Wisconsin and completed her residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Minnesota. Darmafall earned her MD from Wayne State University and her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Albion College, both located in Michigan.

“The need for sports medicine-related surgery is growing at a fast rate,” Brad Crowder, executive director of Orthopaedic Specialists, said. “Dr. Darmafall will help our center keep up with these growing needs through her expertise and experience in helping people regain mobility.”

Dr. Crosmer, who most recently served as a hand and upper extremity orthopaedic surgeon at Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic, LLC in Florida, completed her fellowship in upper extremity, elbow, hand and wrist at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Crosmer earned her MD from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor and her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Florida.

“The Hand and Upper Extremity Center at Orthopaedic Specialists is world-renowned,” Crowder said. “We’ve had patients travel thousands of miles to have their procedures done at our center. I’m confident that Dr. Crosmer will enhance our momentum in this area of expertise.”

Both Darmafall and Crosmer are beginning to pre-book appointments now. They will officially join Orthopaedic Specialists on September 16th and October 2nd respectively. The two will perform outpatient procedures next door at Mississippi Valley Surgery Center.

“At MVSC, we are committed to continuously improving the quality of our services while providing a collaborative environment for healthcare providers, employees, patients and their families,” Michael Patterson, President and CEO of MVSC, said. “I think Dr. Darmafall and Dr. Crosmer will do just that with their knowledge and expertise. Orthopaedic surgery is usually a male-dominated field, and our area has needed female orthopaedic surgeons to diversify options for the Quad-Cities community. We’re pleased to see OS continuing to lead in their specialty by onboarding these two excellent surgeons.”

About Orthopaedic Specialists
Orthopaedic Specialists provides a variety of services to effectively diagnose, treat and prevent injury throughout the body. Utilizing the latest advancements in orthopaedics to provide the most accurate and successful treatments, Orthopaedic Specialists offers customized, comprehensive plans for each patient to achieve the best possible outcome during treatment and recovery. For patient convenience, there are two Orthopaedic Specialists locations – Davenport and Clinton.

About Mississippi Valley Surgery Center
Physicians from a variety of practice areas choose to do their outpatient procedures at Mississippi Valley Surgery Center. Because their team specializes in outpatient surgeries and procedures, staff at MVSC are experts in the latest, proven techniques that lead to better outcomes and faster recovery.

In an effort to offer our patients the best possible care at an affordable price, Orthopaedic Specialists, PC has partnered with Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa (PCI). As two independent physician organizations, both PCI and Orthopaedic Specialists place the highest value on efficiently performing a comprehensive selection of leading medical procedures. By combining forces, we are able to lower costs while continuing to deliver exceptional care.

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving. Our team of board certified orthopaedic surgeons and medical professionals wants to ensure that, as things change, patients retain access to the best care and treatment available. PCI is well-equipped to handle modifications in payment methodologies, and it has experience navigating developments and innovations.

This collaboration also prioritizes the patient-doctor relationship and helps our physicians maintain an active role in each person’s healthcare. Consolidating our practices enhances efficiency, expands resources, and develops a greater system of support. As a result, we hope to see high patient satisfaction.

We always welcome your feedback, and we encourage you to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable office team to learn more about this merger.

If you watch or play sports, you may be aware of how often ACL injuries can occur during recreation. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the two major ligaments that help to stabilize the knee. If damaged or torn, the ACL can cause a great deal of pain and severely reduced mobility. Many professional athletes undergo ACL reconstruction to repair this ligament at some point in their careers. However, not everyone who experiences an ACL injury will need an operation. Our experienced orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. John Hoffman, offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options, and he will provide customized care based on your singular needs.

Depending on the severity of your injury, Dr. Hoffman typically will recommend trying conservative techniques before suggesting a more advanced option. If the ACL injury is mild to moderate, non-surgical methods offer many benefits. Some examples of treatments include rest, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, a knee brace, or cortisone injections. One or more of these methods may alleviate your pain and restore function with time. If your condition worsens, however, Dr. hoffman may suggest surgery. At Orthopaedic Specialists, we utilize advanced minimally invasive surgical modalities that are designed to reduce downtime and enhance mobility as safely as possible.

Many casual competitors look to professional athletes to learn about advanced training and recovery techniques. Similarly, sports enthusiasts may also pay attention to the treatment options used by these elite players, particularly when it comes to ACL injuries. An ACL tear is one of the most common conditions to occur in athletes of all levels, affecting as many as 300,000 people per year, and there are many ways to address this concern. Dr. John Hoffman, our board certified orthopaedic surgeon, is extensively trained in the leading ACL reconstruction techniques, including bone-patella tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts. BPTB grafts are one of the most frequently used in professional athletics, and Adrian Peterson, Derek Rose, and Carson Palmer are just a few examples of players who have reportedly undergone this procedure.

The reason sports medicine surgeons choose BPTB grafts for athletes so often is because this technique has several advantages for players. BPTB grafts typically offer a lower rate of re-rupture, heal faster, and cause no residual hamstring weakness. BPTB autografts, which are grafts harvested from the patient’s tissue, can have even higher return-to-sport success (achieving around 96-98 percent, according to national results) than other autografts and BPTB allografts—grafts made from donated tissue. What is appropriate for an elite athlete is not always ideal for non-professionals, however. BPTB can be an excellent option, but the recovery usually will be more aggressive and intense, and some lingering knee pain may occur. As with all knee conditions, treatment should be customized to suit the unique needs of each person.

Dr. Hoffman has performed over 1500 BPTB ACL reconstructions. During your initial consultation, he can evaluate your injury and determine if this technique or another approach can optimize your results.

According to recent statistics, between 250,000 and 300,000 people experience ACL injuries each year, most of whom are athletes. A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) can sideline a player for about six-to-nine months or more. Torn ACLs are typically repaired with a tissue graft, and there are many different types of grafts in use. In a recent article published by Orthopedics Today, a selection of orthopaedists discussed the benefits and drawbacks of several commonly used grafts, including the BPTB (bone-patella tendon-bone) graft. Dr. John Hoffman, our board certified orthopaedic surgeon, has performed over 1500 BPTB ACL grafts in his career. He agrees with the article’s overall assessment that this graft offers numerous advantages, particularly for athletes.

Choosing the ideal ACL graft for the patient can help to reduce downtime as well as to reduce the risk of a re-tear. Each graft has its pros and cons, and ultimately the right option will be a personal choice. One of the many benefits of a BPTB autograft—grafts harvested from the patient—is that the tissue quality is very similar to the natural ACL—and 1.5 times as strong. Furthermore, there appears to be a lower re-rupture rate with this method than with hamstring autografts, cadaver allografts (donated tissue), or other types of allografts. The BPTB graft connects bone to bone, rather than muscle to bone (as in a hamstring graft), typically providing greater strength and faster healing as a result. For these reasons and others, over 86 percent of NFL, 81 percent of NBA, and 70 percent of MLS physicians choose to utilize BPTB grafts to repair ACL tears in athletes.

Just as essential as graft choice, Dr. Hoffman explains, is the quality of the surgical technique. If a graft is improperly implanted or fixed, knee instability and re-rupture could occur. Therefore, patients should confirm that their orthopaedic surgeon has extensive experience performing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with the chosen graft type.

Millions of people around the nation experience the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This common condition can cause pain, stiffness, weakness, and numbness in the hands. As a result, work and everyday activities can become difficult or uncomfortable. Many patients report difficulty sleeping. Fortunately, there is an easy way that may help prevent the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Performing a few stretches throughout the day may help keep you pain-free.

Stretch Prayer

To begin this stretch, hold your hands in front of you at about chest level with the palms together. This is called the prayer position. Slowly move your hands, palms still pressed together, down towards your waist, keeping your hands close to your body. When you feel a stretch, slowly move your hands back to the original position, and then begin again. Repeat a few times. This exercise should be performed every hour or so.

Pushup Spiders

For this exercise, you will also begin by placing your hands together in a prayer position. You should then spread your fingers as wide as you can and lift your palms to create a “steeple” with your fingers still touching. Return to your starting position, keeping your fingers in contact the whole time, and begin again. Repeat this stretch about every hour.

Shake it Out

This one is even easier than the last exercise. Simply shake your hands out as if you were air-drying them after a wash. Many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who wake at night find this maneuver helpful in reducing the symptoms and it can allow them to get back to sleep.

Stretch Armstrong

Hold your right arm out in front of you with your palm facing down. Bend your wrist up towards the ceiling. Take your left hand and use it to gently bend your wrist a little farther in the same direction until you notice a mild stretch in your forearm. Hold for about 20 or 30 seconds, release and repeat with the other arm. You may wish to perform this exercise a few times a day.

These simple maneuvers may help with mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. If symptoms persist, or if your numbness becomes constant, definitive treatment should be sought. Permanent nerve damage can occur if nerve compression goes untreated.

If you would like more information about carpal tunnel syndrome and treatment options, please contact us today. We can answer your questions or help you schedule a consultation.

As one of the most common hand conditions in the nation, carpal tunnel syndrome can make work, play, and simple tasks and even sleeping difficult or impossible. Fortunately, our experienced orthopaedic doctors can provide a number of non-surgical treatment options to help minimize discomfort caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Here are four easy tips for relieving hand and wrist pain. In the event these approaches prove ineffective, our doctors are extensively trained in the latest endoscopic surgery techniques. Unlike traditional open surgery, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery typically requires no sutures and offers a shorter healing time.

1. Rest

Taking a break from using the affected hand for a few weeks can give the inflamed median nerve (the one that runs through the carpal tunnel and causes you pain) time to heal. You can also take small breaks at work by changing position or stretching your wrists.

2. Splinting

Splints are the most common conservative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Keeping your wrist in a neutral position throughout the night can prevent waking due to numbness and tingling in your hands, and it may help relieve daytime symptoms too.

3. Carpal Tunnel Exercises

Exercises and stretches can help reduce discomfort and keep pain from recurring. There are a number of carpal tunnel stretches you can perform right at your desk or where you work throughout the day to alleviate your symptoms. Our doctors can provide additional examples during your consultation.

4. Cortisone Shot

A more advanced but still non-surgical treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome is a cortisone injection. This method also helps to reduce inflammation, but it’s not a cure. When the medication wears off, you may begin experiencing symptoms again.

These are just a few ideas to help achieve symptom relief of carpal tunnel syndrome. Our practice is committed to your health and well-being. If these tips do not relieve your symptoms, you should seek a professional evaluation, because untreated carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. Our doctors can provide details of minimally invasive surgical options that require no sutures and allow faster recovery.

Have more questions about carpal tunnel syndrome? Contact our office today for more information or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you soon.